Configurable mounting bracket

ABSTRACT

A multiply configurable bracket formed of a substantially rigid elongated body having a groove oriented crosswise of the elongated body and formed partway therethrough, and a pair of fastener clearance passages formed through the body straddling the groove and oriented crosswise of both the elongated body and the groove. A first part-spherical ball mount is coupled to one end of the elongated body and is aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis thereof. A second part-spherical ball mount is coupled to the body opposite from the groove and oriented substantially crosswise to the longitudinal axis thereof. Both the first and second part-spherical ball mounts are formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a configurable mounting bracket, and in particular to a vehicle-mountable multiply configurable mounting bracket structured for clamping to a handlebar of a bicycle, motorcycle, all terrain vehicle or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mounting brackets structured for clamping to a handlebar of a bicycle, motorcycle, all terrain vehicle or the like are generally well-known. Some of these known handlebar-mountable brackets are configurable to provide mounting apparatus at different positions relative to the vehicle handlebar. However, these known handlebar-mountable brackets have various limitations that limit their usefulness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a handlebar-mountable multiply configurable mounting bracket that overcomes limitations of the prior art for mounting insturments and other devices on a vehicle handlebar or another suitable portion of a vehicle.

The multiply configurable mounting bracket of the invention is provided by a substantially rigid elongated body having an arcuate groove formed in one longitudinal surface thereof and oriented crosswise to a longitudinal axis of the elongated body. A pair of elongated passages is formed through the body straddling the groove. An integral part-spherical ball mount is integrally formed with the body and projected from one end thereof, the first part-spherical ball mount being formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface. A discrete part-spherical ball mount is coupled to the body opposite from the groove and oriented substantially crosswise to a longitudinal axis of the body, the discrete part-spherical ball mount being formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface.

According to one aspect of the invention, the multiply configurable mounting bracket also includes a pair of spacers each structured with an elongated passage formed therethrough and mounted between the pair of elongated passages of the body and the handlebar on which the aparatus is mounted.

According to another aspect of the invention, the multiply configurable mounting bracket also includes an integral stem projected from the end of the elongated body. The integral stem is aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis thereof and has the resiliently deformable material of the first part-spherical ball mount molded thereon.

According to another aspect of the invention, the discrete second part-spherical ball mount is threadedly secured to the body. By example and without limitation, the the body is formed with a passage therethrough between the arcuate groove and a surface of the body opposite from the groove. The discrete part-spherical ball mount has a threaded bore formed therein; and a threaded fastener resides in the passage formed through the body between the arcuate groove and a surface of the body opposite from the groove, the threaded fastener is threadedly engaged with the threaded bore formed in the discrete part-spherical ball mount. Alternatively, a discrete frame is interposed between the discrete part-spherical ball mount and the body. According to one example, the discrete part-spherical ball mount is threadedly coupled to the discrete frame.

Other aspects of the invention are detailed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front pictorial view that illustrates the invention embodied as a rigid multiply configurable vehicle handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a rear pictorial view that illustrates the invention embodied as a rigid multiply configurable vehicle handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a rear exploded pictorial view that illustrates the invention embodied as a rigid multiply configurable vehicle handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a front exploded pictorial view that illustrates the invention embodied as a rigid multiply configurable vehicle handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus wherein a discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount is optionally substituted for the integral part-spherical ball mount illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front pictorial view that illustrates one alternative embodiment of the rigid multiply configurable vehicle handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus of the invention wherein a discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount is optionally substituted for the discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates one alternative embodiment of the discrete non-integral ball mount of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the discrete non-integral ball mount of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a front pictorial view that illustrates one alternative embodiment of the rigid multiply configurable vehicle handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus of the invention wherein the apparatus body is mounted to the vehicle handlebar directly by means of a U-clamp, a pair of threaded fasteners, and mating nuts; and

FIG. 9 is a front pictorial view that illustrates one alternative embodiment of the rigid multiply configurable vehicle handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus of the invention wherein the apparatus body is mounted to the vehicle handlebar directly by means of a threaded U-bolt and a pair of nuts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.

The present invention is a handlebar-mounting bracket embodied, by example and without limitation, as a rigid multiply configurable mounting bracket for securely and fixedly mounting accessories within easy reach of the vehicle rider. The bracket is provided by a substantially rigid elongated body that is formed of a substantially rectangular body formed with substantially orthogonal side faces and opposing end faces oriented substantially orthogonal to the side faces. An arcuate groove is formed partway through the body and oriented substantially crosswise of the elongated body with an opening in a first side face of the body. A pair of fastener clearance passages is formed through the body straddling the groove and is oriented substantially crosswise of both the elongated body and the groove. A first part-spherical ball mount is projected from one end face of the elongated body and is aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the body, the first part-spherical ball mount is formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface. A second part-spherical ball mount is projected from a second side face of the body opposite from the first side face having the groove opening formed therein, and is oriented substantially crosswise to the longitudinal. axis of the body. The second part-spherical ball mount is also formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first part-spherical ball mount includes a stem integrally formed with the elongated body and projected from the end face thereof, and the resiliently deformable material is coupled to an end portion of the stem distal from the end face of the body.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the handlebar-mounting bracket includes a threaded joint between the end face of the elongated body and the first part-spherical ball mount projected therefrom, such that the first part-spherical ball mount is threadedly assembled to the elongated body.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the handlebar-mounting bracket includes a threaded joint between the second side face of the elongated body and the second part-spherical ball mount projected therefrom, such that the second part-spherical ball mount is threadedly assembled to the elongated body. According to one embodiment of the invention, the threaded joint between the second side face of the elongated body and the second part-spherical ball mount optionally includes a frame member interposed between the resiliently deformable material of the second part-spherical ball mount and the elongated body, wherein the frame is formed with a pair of fastener clearance passages that symmetrically straddle the resiliently deformable material of the second part-spherical ball mount and are substantially aligned with the pair of fastener clearance passages formed through the elongated body.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the handlebar-mounting bracket includes a pair of spacers each structured with a fastener clearance passage formed therethrough, the spacers being interposed between the pair of fastener clearance passages in the elongated body straddling the groove and a pre-existing instrument or other device on the handlebar.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the handlebar-mounting bracket includes a pair of bolts sized to pass through the pair of fastener clearance passages formed through the body and the fastener clearance passage formed the pair of spacers and extend at least a short distance therebeyond to engage pre-existing threaded holes on the handlebar. Alternatively, the bolts pass through matching holes in a U-clamp and are engaged by suitable threaded nuts.

FIFG. 1 is a front pictorial view and FIG. 2 is a rear pictorial view that together illustrate the invention embodied, by example and without limitation, as a vehicle handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus 10O embodied as a rigid multiply configurable mounting bracket for securely and fixedly mounting accessories within easy reach of the vehicle rider. The handlebar-mounting bracket 10 is formed at its core by a substantially rigid body 12 having an elongated substantially rectangular form structured with four orthogonal sides or faces 14, 16, 18, 20 that are squared-off at opposite ends 22, 24. The edges and corners of the intersecting faces 14, 16, 18, 20 and ends 22, 24 are optionally broken, either by chamfers or fillets, to smooth the overall effect. Alternatively, the body 12 is cylindrical or another shape, and the ends 22, 24 are alternatively rounded, pointed, or another shape. The elongated rigid body 12 is optionally formed of hard plastic, aluminum, steel or another substantially rigid metallic or non-metallic material. An arcuate handlebar cutout or groove 26 is formed at or near the middle of one side or “mounting face” 14 thereof and is oriented crosswise of the elongated body 12. The arcuate structure renders the handlebar groove 26 suitable for either engaging a round or otherwise curved bar, such as a handlebar, or a for clearing a pre-existing instrument.

A first part-spherical ball mount 28 is projected from one end surface 22 of the elongated rigid body 12 substantially along a longitudinal axis thereof The first part-spherical ball mount 28 is formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface, as described by Carnevali in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The first ball mount 28 is optionally integrally formed with the elongated body 12 by casting or overmolding the resiliently deformable material onto a short substantially rigid stem 30 integrally formed with the body 12 along its longitudinal axis L and extended from the end 22, as illustrated and described in detail in FIG. 3.

A second discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount 32 that is also formed of the resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface of the type described by Carnevali in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,885 is provided on a second short substantially rigid internally-threaded stem 34 that is structured to be fastened to the apparatus body 12 to project from the face 18 opposite from the arcuate handlebar groove 26 that is formed in the mounting face 14. The stem 34 is secured to the body face 18 in a manner that resists rotation of the second ball mount 32 relative to the elongated body 12. For example, the second ball mount 32 is secured to the body face 18 by means of a threaded fastener or screw 36 through the body 12, as discussed in detail herein.

A pair of bolt clearance holes or slots 38, 40 (shown) are formed through the body 12 between the mounting face 14 and the opposite face 18 from which the second ball mount 32 is projected. In order to facilitate both engaging a round or otherwise curved bar, such as a handlebar, and clearing a pre-existing instrument mounted on the handlebar, the bolt clearance holes or slots 38, 40 are provided in positions symmetrically straddling the handlebar groove 26 and are oriented crosswise of both the longitudinal axis L of the elongated body 12 and the bore of the handlebar groove 26.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a pair of spacers 42, 44 are provided, one for each of the two bolt clearance holes or slots 38, 40. The spacers 42, 44 are long enough to hold the body 12 away from the handlebar when another instrument or device is pre-existing on the handlebar, or to operate between the body 12 and a U-clamp 46 (shown in FIG. 8) or with a U-bolt 48 (shown in FIG. 9) for securing the handlebar-mounting bracket apparatus 10 against slipping and shifting. The spacers 42, 44 are small enough in cross-section to avoid interference both with pre-existing instruments or devices on the vehicle handlebar and straddled by the handlebar groove 26, and pre-existing objects surrounding the bracket apparatus 10. By example and without limitation, the spacers 42, 44 are each embodied as a short, thick-walled cylinder structured with a respective bolt clearance hole 50, 52 formed longitudinally therethrough. The spacers 42, 44 are optionally formed either integral with or separate from the body 12. When formed as discrete parts separate from the body 12, the spacers 42, 44 are optionally formed of a vibration damping material such as a soft rubber or a synthetic elastomeric material such as a low-durometer silicone or polyurethane material.

A pair of threaded fasteners 54, 56 are used to secure the body 12 of the bracket apparatus 10 to the vehicle handlebar. For example, the threaded fasteners 54, 56 are pre-existing mounting screws or bolts used to secure a pre-existing instrument or device on the vehicle handlebar, where the pre-existing instrument or device has a low profile in the vicinity of the mounting fasteners 54, 56. For example, the bolt clearance holes or slots 38, 40 are sized to straddle the pre-existing instrument or device while permitting the threaded fasteners 54, 56 to align with mounting holes in the pre-existing instrument or device. Alternatively, the threaded fasteners 54, 56 may be longer screws or bolts sized to replace shorter pre-existing mounting screws or bolts such that the replacement threaded fasteners 54, 56 secure the body 12 of the bracket apparatus 10 to the vehicle handlebar while simultaneously securing the pre-existing instrument or device.

FIG. 3 is a rear exploded pictorial view and FIG. 4 is a front exploded pictorial view that together illustrate the first part-spherical ball mount 28 formed by casting or overmolding the resiliently deformable material onto the short substantially rigid stem 30 embodied as an integral part of the body 12 and projected along its longitudinal axis L from the end face 22. The integral stem 30 is provided with means for retaining the cast or overmolded resiliently deformable material forming the first part-spherical ball mount 28. By example and without limitation, the retaining means is provided by a button head portion 58 coupled by a necked-down portion 60 to a main shaft portion 62 of the stem 30. The button head 58 may be square or hex shaped, as shown for stem 34 of the second ball mount 32, or may have a knurled or roughened surface texture, any of which is sufficient to resist rotation of the resiliently deformable material relative to the stem 30.

FIGS. 3 and 4 also illustrate the second ball mount 32 as a discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount that is provided on the second stem 34. The stem 34 is provided with a hex-shaped button head 64 for retaining the cast or overmolded resiliently deformable material. A neck-down portion 66 couples the button head 64 to the main shaft 68 which includes a threaded internal longitudinal bore 70 structured to accept the threaded fastener 36 which is, for example, a conventional flat head screw. The main shaft 68 includes means for fixing the stem shaft 68 against rotation relative to the apparatus body 12 during assembly of the threaded fastener 36. By example and without limitation, the means for fixing the stem shaft 68 against rotation is embodied in a hex-shaped lip 74 provided adjacent to the threaded bore 70.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, a screw clearance hole 76 is formed through the apparatus body 12 substantially at the center of the handlebar groove 26 and is oriented crosswise of both the elongated apparatus body 12 and the bore of the handlebar groove 26, (i.e., crosswise of the face 14 of the body 12 having the handlebar groove 26 formed therein. The screw clearance hole 76 is structured with a first internal screw-head clearance relief 78 formed substantially concentric with the hole 76 within the handlebar groove 26. The screw-head clearance relief 78 is structured such that a flat head portion 80 of the screw 36 is flush or below the internal arcuate surface of the handlebar groove 26 so that it does not interfere with mounting the apparatus 10 onto a vehicle handlebar. The internal screw-head clearance relief 78 is formed as a conventional conical countersink when the screw 36 is a conventional flat head screw, or as a cylindrical counter-bore when the screw 36 is a pan, round, fillister, oval, hex, socket head or other conventional screw head.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the apparatus body 12 is structured with means for rotationally fixing the stem 34 of the second discrete non-integral ball mount 32 relative to the face 18 from which it is projected. By example and without limitation, the lip portion 74 of the stem main shaft 68 is structured to occupy a second external female stem-capture relief 82 formed in the elongated body 12 opposite from the handlebar groove 26 in a manner that resists rotation relative to the elongated body. The means for rotationally fixing the stem 34 is thus embodied by the second external female stem-capture relief 82 formed substantially concentric with the screw clearance hole 76 within the side surface or face 18 of the elongated body 12 opposite from the handlebar groove 26, i.e., the face 18 of the body 12 opposite from the face 14 having the handlebar groove 26 formed therein. The second external stem-capture relief 82 is formed with means for resisting rotation of the internally threaded shaft 68 secured therein by the threaded fastener 36 operating through the clearance hole 76. The means for resisting rotation of the shaft 68 is provided by the second external female stem-capture relief 82 embodied as a cooperating hexagonal female relief when the stem shaft 68 is embodied in the hex-shaped lip 74 adjacent to the threaded bore 70. Alternatively, the means for resisting rotation of the shaft 68 is provided by the second external female stem-capture relief 82 embodied as a cooperating square female relief when the stem shaft 68 is embodied in a square-shaped lip 74. The shaft 68 and second external stem-capture relief 82 may alternatively be structured as cooperating male and female star shapes, or other cooperating male and female shapes. According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooperating male and female shapes of the shaft 68 and second external stem-capture relief 82 are a cylindrical male shaft 68 and cooperating cylindrical female counter-bore 82 with a knurled or otherwise suitably roughened seating surface in the floor thereof According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a suitable lock washer is provided between the lip 74 of the male stem shaft 68 and the floor of the female counter-bore 82 for resisting rotation of the stem shaft 68 relative to the female stem-capture relief 82 and the face 18 of the elongated body 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, another discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount 84 is optionally substituted for the first part-spherical ball mount 28. The discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount 84 is secured to the end surface 22 of the elongated rigid body 12 by a threaded joint. For example, the discrete non-integral ball mount 84 is structured with a male threaded shaft 86 extended from a bottom face 88 of a shaft 90 of a stem 92 upon which the resiliently deformable material of the part-spherical ball mount 84 is cast or overmolded, as described herein. The male threaded shaft 86 is threadedly engaged with a cooperating female thread 94 formed in the end surface 22 of the apparatus body 12. Mechanical means, such as a suitable lock washer, are provided between the bottom face 88 of a shaft 90 and the body end surface 22 to resist relative rotation between the ball mount 84 and the apparatus body 12. Alternatively, chemical means thread-locking means are provided between the male and female threads 86, 94.

FIG. 5 illustrates one alternative embodiment of the invention wherein another discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount 96 is optionally substituted for the second part-spherical ball mount 32. The discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount 96 is structured with a male threaded shaft 98 extended from a stem 100 upon which the resiliently deformable material of the part-spherical ball mount 96 is cast or overmolded, as described herein. The male threaded shaft 98 is threadedly engaged with a cooperating female thread 102 formed within a boss portion 104 of a discrete frame 106. The frame 106 is formed with a substantially flat mounting surface 108 for mounting to the substantially flat side face 18 of the body 12. A pair of shoulders 110, 112 symmetrically straddle the threaded boss 108, the shoulders 110, 112 being formed with symmetrical bolt clearance holes or slots 114, 116 positioned to match the pair of bolt clearance holes or slots 38, 40 provided in the body 12. The pair of threaded fasteners 54, 56 are passed through the symmetrical bolt clearance holes or slots 114, 116 and 38, 40 to simultaneously secure both the discrete ball mount 96 and the body 12 of the apparatus 10 to the vehicle handlebar, as described herein. Accordingly, the screw clearance hole 76 through the apparatus body 12 with the screw-head clearance relief 78 and the second external female stem-capture relief 82 can be eliminated along with the threaded fastener or screw 36 through the body 12, as discussed herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates one alternative embodiment of the discrete non-integral ball mount 96 and frame 106 illustrated in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6 the second discrete non-integral part-spherical ball mount 32 is substituted for the discrete non-integral ball mount 96, and a different discrete frame 118 is substituted for the frame 106. The discrete frame 118 is similar to the frame 106 by being formed with a substantially flat mounting surface 120 for mounting to the substantially flat side face 18 of the body 12, and a pair of shoulders 122, 124 are formed with symmetrical bolt clearance holes or slots 126, 128 positioned to match the pair of bolt clearance holes or slots 38, 40 provided in the body 12. The pair of threaded fasteners 54, 56 are similarly passed through the symmetrical bolt clearance holes or slots 126, 128 and 38, 40 to simultaneously secure both the discrete frame 118 and the body 12 of the apparatus 10 to the vehicle handlebar, as described herein. Accordingly, the screw clearance hole 76 in the apparatus body 12 can be eliminated along with the threaded fastener 36, as discussed herein.

Mounting of the second discrete ball mount 32 to the discrete frame 118 is modeled after the apparatus body 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. Accordingly, a screw clearance hole 130 is formed through the frame 118 between the mounting surface 120 and a ball mount mounting surface 132 formed opposite from the mounting surface 120 and includes a screw-head clearance relief 134 structured similarly to the screw-head clearance relief 78 for clearance of a flathead screw or another suitable fastener 136. The threaded fastener or screw 136 is passed through the clearance hole 130 and threadedly engaged to the threaded internal longitudinal bore 70 of the second discrete ball mount 32 for securing the ball mount 32 to the frame 118. The frame 118 includes an external female stem-capture relief 138 similar to the stem-capture relief 82 formed in the elongated body 12, whereby the lip portion 74 of the ball mount stem main shaft 68 is engaged to restrict rotation relative to the frame 118 and, in turn, relative to the apparatus body 12. The frame 118 is optionally formed with a boss 140 situated symmetrically between shoulders 122, 124 and the clearance holes or slots 126, 128. When the frame 118 is formed with boss 140, the female stem-capture relief 138 is formed therein with the ball mount mounting surface 132 formed at the end thereof.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the discrete non-integral ball mount 96 and frame 106 illustrated in FIG. 5. In FIG. 7 a different discrete frame 142 is substituted for the frame 106. The discrete frame 142 is similar to the frame 106 by being formed with a substantially flat mounting surface 144 for mounting to the substantially flat side face 18 of the body 12, and a pair of shoulders 146, 148 symmetrically straddle a stem 150. The shoulders 146, 148 are formed with symmetrical bolt clearance holes or slots 152, 154 positioned to match the pair of bolt clearance holes or slots 38, 40 provided in the body 12. The pair of threaded fasteners 54, 56 are similarly passed through the symmetrical bolt clearance holes or slots 126, 128 and 38, 40 to simultaneously secure both the discrete frame 142 and the body 12 of the apparatus 10 to the vehicle handlebar, as described herein. Accordingly, the screw clearance hole 76 in the apparatus body 12 can be eliminated along with the threaded fastener 36, as discussed herein.

An alternative discrete non-integral ball mount 156 is formed on the stem 150 which may include means for retaining the cast or overmolded resiliently deformable material forming the alternative discrete ball mount 156. By example and without limitation, the retaining means is provided by a button head 158 for retaining the cast or overmolded resiliently deformable material. The button head 158, shown by example and without limitation as having a hexagonal shape, is coupled to a necked-down shaft portion 160 of the stem 150.

FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the apparatus body 12 is mounted to the vehicle handlebar directly, rather than securing the body 12 through a pre-existing instrument or device, as described herein. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the apparatus body 12 is positioned on the front of the vehicle handlebar with the handlebar groove 26 fitted against a front surface of the vehicle handlebar. The threaded fasteners 54, 56 are passed through the symmetrical slots 38, 40 and extended on opposite sides of the vehicle handlebar. The U-clamp 46 is fitted over the threaded fasteners 54, 56 with a saddle portion 164 being fitted against a back surface of the vehicle handlebar opposite from the body 12 of the apparatus 10. A pair of nuts 166, 168 are threaded onto the respective threaded fasteners 54, 56 to secure the apparatus 10 to the vehicle handlebar with the ball mounts 28, 32 or the alternative ball mounts 84, 96 positioned as desired on the vehicle handlebar.

FIG. 9 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the apparatus body 12 is secured to the vehicle handlebar directly using the threaded U-bolt 48 and a pair of nuts 170, 172 in place of the threaded fasteners 54, 56, U-clamp 46 and nuts 166, 168 shown in FIG. 8.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, materials may be substituted for the different components of the apparatus of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, as at least one embodiment of the invention is provided wherein the bracket is mounted using pre-existing bolt or screws 54, 56 that secure a pre-existing instrument or other device, the apparatus 10 of the invention is not limited to mounting on a vehicle handlebar but is structured for mounting in any position on any ground, marine or airborne vehicle having a pre-existing instrument or device with a suitably arranged mounting bolt pattern wherein a pair of pre-existing mounting bolts is matched by the bolt clearance holes or slots 38, 40 through the apparatus body 12. Therefore, the inventor makes the following claims. 

1. A multiply configurable bracket comprising: a substantially rigid elongated body having an arcuate groove formed in one longitudinal surface thereof and a pair of elongated passages formed through the body straddling the groove; an integral part-spherical ball mount integrally formed with the body and projected from one end thereof, the first part-spherical ball mount being formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface; a discrete part-spherical ball mount coupled to the body opposite from the groove and oriented substantially crosswise to a longitudinal axis of the body, the discrete part-spherical ball mount being formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface.
 2. The bracket of claim 1 wherein the arcuate groove is further oriented crosswise of the elongated body.
 3. The bracket of claim 2, further comprising a pair of spacers each structured with an elongated passage formed therethrough.
 4. The bracket of claim 2, further comprising an integral stem projected from the end of the elongated body and aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis thereof and having the resiliently deformable material of the first part-spherical ball mount molded thereon.
 5. The bracket of claim 2 wherein the pair of elongated passages formed through the body straddling the groove further comprise a pair of elongated passages each aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body.
 6. The bracket of claim 2 wherein the discrete second part-spherical ball mount is threadedly secured to the body.
 7. The bracket of claim 6 wherein: the body is formed with a passage therethrough between the arcuate groove and a surface of the body opposite from the groove; the discrete part-spherical ball mount further comprises a threaded bore formed therein; and further comprising a threaded fastener resident in the passage formed through the body between the arcuate groove and a surface of the body opposite from the groove, the threaded fastener being threadedly engaged with the threaded bore formed in the discrete part-spherical ball mount.
 8. The bracket of claim 6, further comprising a discrete frame interposed between the discrete part-spherical ball mount and the body.
 9. The bracket of claim 8 wherein the discrete part-spherical ball mount is threadedly coupled to the discrete frame.
 10. A multiply configurable bracket comprising: a substantially rigid elongated body having a groove oriented crosswise of the elongated body and formed partway therethrough, and a pair of fastener clearance passages formed through the body straddling the groove and oriented crosswise of both the elongated body and the groove; a first part-spherical ball mount coupled to one end of the elongated body and aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis thereof, the first part-spherical ball mount being formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface; a second part-spherical ball mount coupled to the body opposite from the groove and oriented substantially crosswise to the longitudinal axis thereof, the second part-spherical ball mount being formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface; and a pair of spacers each structured with a fastener clearance passage formed therethrough.
 11. The bracket of claim 10 wherein the first part-spherical ball mount is integrally formed with the body and is projected from the end thereof.
 12. The bracket of claim 11 wherein the second part-spherical ball mount is discrete from the body.
 13. The bracket of claim 12 wherein the discrete second part-spherical ball mount is threadedly secured to the body.
 14. The bracket of claim 13 wherein the discrete second part-spherical ball mount further comprises a stem formed with a female thread; the body further comprises a fastener clearance passage therethrough between the groove and a portion of the body opposite from the groove; and further comprising a threaded fastener within the fastener clearance passage through the body between the groove and a portion of the body opposite from the groove and being threadedly engaged with the female thread within the stem of the discrete second part-spherical ball mount.
 15. The bracket of claim 11, further comprising a frame having the second part-spherical ball mount secured thereto, the frame being coupled to the body opposite from the groove with the second part-spherical ball mount oriented substantially crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the body.
 16. A multiply configurable bracket comprising: a substantially rigid elongated body formed of: a substantially rectangular body formed with substantially orthogonal side faces and opposing end faces oriented substantially orthogonal to the side faces, an arcuate groove formed partway through the body and oriented substantially crosswise of the elongated body with an opening in a first side face of the body, and a pair of fastener clearance passages formed through the body straddling the groove and oriented substantially crosswise of both the elongated body and the groove; a first part-spherical ball mount projected from one end face of the elongated body and aligned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the body, the first part-spherical ball mount being formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface; and a second part-spherical ball mount projected from a second side face of the body opposite from the first side face having the groove opening formed therein and oriented substantially crosswise to the longitudinal axis of the body, the second part-spherical ball mount being formed of a resiliently deformable material with a substantially smooth outer surface.
 17. The bracket of claim 16 wherein the first part-spherical ball mount further comprises a stem integrally formed with the elongated body and projected from the end face thereof, and the resiliently deformable material being coupled to an end portion of the stem distal from the end face of the body.
 18. The bracket of claim 16, further comprising a threaded joint between the end face of the elongated body and the first part-spherical ball mount projected therefrom.
 19. The bracket of claim 16, further comprising a threaded joint between the second side face of the elongated body and the second part-spherical ball mount projected therefrom.
 20. The bracket of claim 19 wherein the threaded joint between the second side face of the elongated body and the second part-spherical ball mount further comprises: a fastener clearance passage formed through the body between the arcuate groove and the second side face of the elongated body, a rigid stem having the resiliently deformable material of the second part-spherical ball mount molded on a first end thereof and a female thread formed in. a second end opposite from the resiliently deformable material, and a threaded fastener passing through the fastener clearance passage and being threadedly coupled to the female thread formed in the stem.
 21. The bracket of claim 19 wherein the threaded joint between the second side face of the elongated body and the second part-spherical ball mount further comprises a frame member interposed between the resiliently deformable material of the second part-spherical ball mount and the elongated body, the frame comprising a pair of fastener clearance passages formed therethrough symmetrically straddling the resiliently deformable material of the second part-spherical ball mount and being substantially aligned with the pair of fastener clearance passages formed through the body.
 22. The bracket of claim 19, further comprising a pair of spacers each structured with a fastener clearance passage formed therethrough.
 23. The bracket of claim 22, further comprising a pair of bolts sized to pass through the pair of fastener clearance passages formed through the body and the fastener clearance passage formed the pair of spacers and extend at least a short distance therebeyond. 